Goods supporting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A goods supporting apparatus in a vending machine includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a first base, a second base, a rotating axle, a supporting tray, a first supporting plate, and a second supporting plate. Sale items are located on the first bracket and the second bracket. A resisting portion is located on the rotating axle. When the rotating axle is rotated to beyond the point where the first base resists the supporting tray, the supporting tray is blocked by the second base, and the resisting portion pushes the first supporting plate on the first bracket to elevate sale items which are stacked above the bottommost sale item. The first base rotates downwards around the first bracket, and the bottommost sale item drops down to the customer from the first base.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a goods supporting apparatus in a vending machine.

2. Description of Related Art

Vending machines include goods channels for accommodating a plurality of sale items. The vending machines typically use motors to push the sale items to output trays, and customers can get the sale items from the output trays. However, the motors usually respond slowly and may not push the correct sale items to the output trays.

Therefore, there is a need for improvement in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric, exploded view of an embodiment of a goods supporting apparatus; the goods supporting apparatus includes a plurality of first supporting plates and a plurality of second supporting plates.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a circled portion II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the first supporting plate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the second supporting plate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an assembled view of the goods supporting apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a goods supporting apparatus in a vending machine in accordance with an embodiment, and the goods supporting apparatus includes a first bracket 10, a second bracket 20, a first base 30, a second base 40, a supporting tray 50, a rotating axle 60, a plurality of first supporting plates 70, and a plurality of second supporting plates 80.

The first bracket 10 defines a plurality of first openings 11. The plurality of first openings 11 are arc-shaped. Two first locating brackets 12 substantially perpendicularly extend from sides of each of the plurality of first openings 11. A round first locating hole 13 is defined in each first locating bracket 12. A first supporting bracket 14 substantially perpendicularly extends from the first bracket 10 between the two first locating brackets 12. Two second locating brackets 15 substantially perpendicularly extend from side edges of each first supporting bracket 14. A round second locating hole 16 is defined in each second locating bracket 15.

The second bracket 20 defines a plurality of arc-shaped second openings 21. Two third locating brackets 22 substantially perpendicularly extend from sides of each of the plurality of second openings 21. A round third locating hole 23 is defined in each third locating bracket 22. A second supporting bracket 24 substantially perpendicularly extends from the second bracket 20 between the two third locating brackets 22. Two fourth locating brackets 25 substantially perpendicularly extend from side edges of each second supporting bracket 24. A round fourth locating hole 26 is defined in each fourth locating bracket 25.

The first base 30 is pivotally mounted to a bottom of the first bracket 10. The second base 40 is pivotally mounted to a bottom of the second bracket 20. The supporting tray 50 is fan-shaped and mounted to a bottom of the rotating axle 60. The rotating axle 60 is mounted to the first bracket 10 and the second bracket 20. A plurality of resisting portions 61 is located on the rotating axle 60. An extension direction of the supporting tray 50 is opposite to an extension direction of the plurality of resisting portions 61.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show that each of the plurality of first supporting plates 70 includes a first body 71 and two first pivoting portions 72 substantially perpendicularly extending upwards from sides of the first body 71. A first through hole 73 is defined in each first pivoting portion 72. A first cutout 74 is formed between the two first pivoting portions 72. An arc-shaped first groove 75 is defined on a bottom surface of the first body 71. A bottom edge of the first body 71 is arc-shaped. The first body 71 is made of high-gloss plastic. A width of the first groove 75 is equal to a diameter of the rotating axle 60.

Each of the plurality of second supporting plates 80 includes a second body 81 and two second pivoting portions 82 substantially perpendicularly extending upwards from sides of the second body 81. A second through hole 83 is defined in each second pivoting portion 82. A second cutout 84 is formed between the two second pivoting portions 82. An arc-shaped second groove 85 is defined on a bottom surface of the second body 81. A bottom edge of the second body 81 is arc-shaped. The second body 81 is made of high-gloss plastic. A width of the second groove 85 is equal to a diameter of the rotating axle 60.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show that, in assembly, the plurality of first supporting plates 70 is located in the first openings 11. The first through holes 73 are aligned with the first locating holes 13 and the second locating holes 16. The first supporting bracket 14 is received in the first cutout 74. A plurality of fasteners 90 pass through the first locating holes 13, the second locating holes 16, and the first through holes 73, to fix the plurality of first supporting plates 70 on the first bracket 10 and the second bracket 20. The plurality of first supporting plates 70 is received in the first openings 11. The plurality of second supporting plates 80 is located in the second openings 21. The second through holes 83 are aligned with the third locating holes 23 and the fourth locating holes 26. The second supporting bracket 24 is received in the second cutout 84. The plurality of fasteners 90 pass through the third locating holes 23, the fourth locating holes 26, and the second through holes 83, to fix the plurality of second supporting plates 80 on the first bracket 10 and the second bracket 20. The plurality of second supporting plates 80 are received in the second openings 21. The first bracket 10 and the second bracket 20 are fixed on the rotating axle 60. Diameters of the first locating hole 13, of the second locating hole 16, of the third locating hole 23, of the fourth locating hole 26, of the first through hole 73, and of the second through hole 83 are equal, and the fasteners 90 have a clearance diameter accordingly.

In an original state, the supporting tray 50 resists against the first base 30 and the second base 40. The plurality of resisting portions 61 on the rotating axle 60 does not resist against the plurality of first supporting plates 70 and the plurality of second supporting plates 80. A plurality of sale items (not shown) stacked on the first bracket 10 and on the second bracket 20 are supported by the first base 30 and the second base 40. The plurality of sale items are ready to be bought.

In operation, when the rotating axle 60 is rotated until the supporting tray 50 does not resist against the first base 30, the supporting tray 50 resists against the second base 40. The resisting portion 61 slides in the first groove 75 of the first supporting plate 70. The resisting portion 61 pushes the first supporting plate 70 out of the first opening 11 on the first bracket 10. The first supporting plate 70 elevates the plurality of sale items above a single first sale item (not shown) located on the first base 30. The first base 30 rotates downwards around the first bracket 10. The first sale item located on the first base 30 then drops to an output tray (not shown) below the first base 30 and the second base 40.

When the rotating axle 60 is rotated until the supporting tray 50 does not resist against the second base 40, the supporting tray 50 resists against the first base 30. The resisting portion 61 slides in the second groove 85 of the second supporting plate 80. The resisting portion 61 pushes the second supporting plate 80 out of the second opening 21 on the second bracket 20. The second supporting plate 80 elevates the plurality of sale items above a single first sale item (not shown) located on the second base 40. The second base 40 rotates downwards around the second bracket 20. The first sale item located on the second base 40 then drops to the output tray below the first base 30 and the second base 40.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and the arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A goods supporting apparatus, comprising: a first bracket and a second bracket configured for locating a plurality of sale items; a first base pivotally mounted to the first bracket; a second base pivotally mounted to the second bracket; a rotating axle mounted to the first bracket and the second bracket; wherein a resisting portion is located on the rotating axle; a supporting tray mounted to the rotating axle and resisting against the first base and the second base; and a first supporting plate and a second supporting plate fixed on the first bracket and the second bracket; wherein when the rotating axle is rotated until the supporting tray does not resist against the first base, the supporting tray resists against the second base absolutely, the resisting portion pushes the first supporting plate on the first bracket, the first supporting plate lifts up the plurality of sale items above a first sale item located on the first base, the first base rotates downwards around the first bracket, and the first sale item located on the first base drops from the first base.
 2. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first bracket defines a first opening; the second bracket defines a second opening; the first supporting plate is received in the first opening; and the second supporting plate is received in the second opening.
 3. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 2, wherein two first locating brackets extend from two sides of the first opening; a first locating hole is defined in each of the two first locating brackets; a first supporting bracket extends from the first bracket between the two first locating brackets; two second locating brackets extend from two sides of the first supporting bracket; a second locating hole is defined in each of the two second locating brackets; the first supporting plate comprises a first body and two first pivoting portions extend upwards from two sides of the first body; a first through hole is defined in each of the two first pivoting portions; and a first fastener passes through the first locating hole, the second locating hole, and the first through hole to fix the first supporting plate on the first bracket.
 4. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the two first pivoting portions define a first cutout therebetween; a first groove is defined on a bottom surface of the first body; the first supporting bracket is received in the first cutout; and the resisting portion slides in the first groove to push the first supporting plate.
 5. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 3, wherein two third locating brackets extend from two sides of the second opening; a third locating hole is defined in each of the two third locating brackets; a second supporting bracket extends from the second bracket between the two third locating brackets; two fourth locating brackets extend from two sides of the second supporting bracket; a fourth locating hole is defined in each of the two fourth locating brackets; the second supporting plates comprises a second body and two second pivoting portions extend upwards from two sides of the second body; a second through hole is defined in each of the two second pivoting portions; and a second fastener passes through the third locating hole, the fourth locating hole, and the second through hole to fix the second supporting plate on the second bracket.
 6. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the two second pivoting portions form a second cutout therebetween; a second groove is defined on a bottom surface of the second body; the second supporting bracket is received in the second cutout; and the resisting portion slides in the second groove to push the second supporting plate.
 7. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 6, wherein a diameter of the first locating hole is equal to a diameter of the second locating hole, a diameter of the third locating hole, a diameter of the fourth locating hole, a diameter of the first through hole, a diameter of the second through hole, a diameter of the first fastener, and a diameter of the second fastener.
 8. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first body and the second body are made of plastic and are high-gloss processed.
 9. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 8, wherein an extension direction of the supporting tray is opposite to an extension direction of the resisting portion.
 10. A goods supporting apparatus, comprising: a first bracket and a second bracket configured for locating a plurality of sale items; a first base pivotally mounted to the first bracket; a second base pivotally mounted to the second bracket; wherein a plurality of sale items are located on the first base and the second base; a rotating axle mounted to the first bracket and the second bracket; wherein a resisting portion is located on the rotating axle; a supporting tray mounted to the rotating axle and resisting against the first base and the second base; and a first supporting plate and a second supporting plate fixed on the first bracket and the second bracket; wherein when the rotating axle is rotated until the supporting tray does not resist against the first base, the supporting tray resists against the second base absolutely, the resisting portion pushes the first supporting plate on the first bracket, the first supporting plate lifts up the plurality of sale items above a first sale item located on the first base, the first base rotates downwards around the first bracket, the first sale item located on the first base drops from the first base; and when the rotating axle is rotated until the supporting tray does not resist against the second base, the supporting tray resists against the first base absolutely, the resisting portion pushes the second supporting plate on the second bracket, the second supporting plate lifts up the plurality of sale items above a first sale item located on the second base, the second base rotates downwards around the second bracket, the first sale item located on the second base drops from the second base.
 11. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first bracket defines a first opening; the second bracket defines a second opening; the first supporting plate is received in the first opening; and the second supporting plate is received in the second opening.
 12. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 11, wherein two first locating brackets extend from two sides of the first opening; a first locating hole is defined in each of the two first locating brackets; a first supporting bracket extends from the first bracket between the two first locating brackets; two second locating brackets extend from two sides of the first supporting bracket; a second locating hole is defined in each of the two second locating brackets; the first supporting plate comprises a first body and two first pivoting portions extend upwards from two sides of the first body; a first through hole is defined in each of the two first pivoting portions; and a first fastener passes through the first locating hole, the second locating hole, and the first through hole to fix the first supporting plate on the first bracket.
 13. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the two first pivoting portions define a first cutout therebetween; a first groove is defined on a bottom surface of the first body; the first supporting bracket is received in the first cutout; and the resisting portion slides in the first groove to push the first supporting plate.
 14. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 12, wherein two third locating brackets extend from two sides of the second opening; a third locating hole is defined in each of the two third locating brackets; a second supporting bracket extends from the second bracket between the two third locating brackets; two fourth locating brackets extend from two sides of the second supporting bracket; a fourth locating hole is defined in each of the two fourth locating brackets; the second supporting plates comprises a second body and two second pivoting portions extend upwards from two sides of the second body; a second through hole is defined in each of the two second pivoting portions; and a second fastener passes through the third locating hole, the fourth locating hole, and the second through hole to fix the second supporting plate on the second bracket.
 15. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the two second pivoting portions form a second cutout therebetween; a second groove is defined on a bottom surface of the second body; the second supporting bracket is received in the second cutout; and the resisting portion slides in the second groove to push the second supporting plate.
 16. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 15, wherein a diameter of the first locating hole is equal to a diameter of the second locating hole, a diameter of the third locating hole, a diameter of the fourth locating hole, a diameter of the first through hole, a diameter of the second through hole, a diameter of the first fastener, and a diameter of the second fastener.
 17. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first body and the second body are made of plastic and are high-gloss processed.
 18. The goods supporting apparatus of claim 17, wherein an extension direction of the supporting tray is opposite to an extension direction of the resisting portion. 